| 释义 |
crime
n. An act (or sometimes a failure to act) that is deemed by statute or by the common law to be a public wrong and is therefore punishable by the state in criminal proceedings. Every crime consists of an actus reus accompanied by a specified mens rea (unless it is a crime of strict liability), and the prosecution must prove these elements of the crime beyond reasonable doubt (see burden of proof). Some crimes are serious wrongs of a moral nature (e.g. murder or rape); others interfere with the smooth running of society (e.g. parking offences). Most prosecutions for crime are brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (although they can also be initiated by private people); some require the consent of the Attorney General. Crimes are customarily divided into indictable offences (for trial by judge and jury) and summary offences (for trial by magistrates); some are hybrid (see offence triable either way). The punishments for a crime include life imprisonment (e.g. for murder), imprisonment for a specified period, suspended sentences of imprisonment, conditional discharges, community orders, binding over, and fines; in most cases judges have discretion in deciding on the punishment (see sentence). Some crimes may also be civil wrongs (see tort); for example, theft and criminal damage are crimes punishable by imprisonment as well as torts for which the victim may claim damages. |